Unforgettable (6 page)

It was impossible for Susan to stay angry at Breezy, especially after everything she’d been through, so the next morning found her walking over to Breezy’s as if they’d never had an argument. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, smugly noting that the roses were all put into vases spread throughout the living room, hall and kitchen. The balloons had all also been gathered up into one big bunch and anchored down with a heavy log beside the fireplace in the living room.

She watched as Breezy puttered around in the kitchen. One of the things Susan admired most about Breezy was her innate good nature. You might knock her down often and you might knock her down hard, but she never stayed down for long, always bouncing back up stronger than ever. She might need her pain meds as the day wore on but, for now, she looked good and Susan was glad to see it.

“It’s nice to see you’re feeling better,” Susan greeted her.

“Hi, Susan. Want some breakfast?” Breezy wasn’t the least bit surprised to hear Susan’s voice.

“No, thanks. Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

“What is it I’m supposed to be forgiving you for?”

“For what I said yesterday.”

“Oh, that. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me for exploding yesterday. You were just telling the truth. It’s not your fault if the truth hurts.”

“Tell ya what, you forgive me and I’ll forgive you and we’ll just forget the whole darn thing.”

“Forgiven, forgotten, friends as always,” Breezy agreed, handing Susan a cup of coffee and joining her at the kitchen table.

“As always,” Susan repeated.

“How about your guardian angel? Is he forgiven too, or are you still mad at him for doing all that stuff for you?” Susan asked, sipping her coffee.

“No, I’m not mad at him, although I intend to pay him back for every cent he put into my car. I realized last night that he was just trying to show he cared, just like you said. You were right, I have been pushing men away with both hands because of what Frank did to me. I couldn’t strike back at Frank so I’ve been taking my emotional baggage out on any man who came my way. I’ve been acting like a jerk and I’m putting an end to it right now.”

“This sudden change wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain radio program last night, now would it…Earth Angel?” The mischievous grin on Susan’s face was priceless.

“You heard that?” Breezy gasped, blushing furiously.

“Yep, I knew it was him after the first sentence. The SD gave it away, though,” Susan chuckled.

“It was sweet, but there is one thing that bothers me about it,” Breezy frowned.

“What’s that?”

“The words to Earth Angel… You don’t think he actually believes that, do you? I mean, you don’t think he’s some kind of nut who thinks he’s in love with me and that’s why he’s doing it, do you?”

“I know he’s not, Breezy. When we were waiting at the hospital, he told me that you looked like an angel right here on Earth when he pulled you into his arms, dressed all in white like you were. He probably chose that song for its title. In fact, I’m sure of it.”

“You’re probably right. When something like that happens, strange things pop into your head…things you wouldn’t normally think of.”

“Yeah, come to think of it, wasn’t it you who said you thought
he
was an angel?” Susan asked gently.

“Touche’, my friend. Point made and well taken,” Breezy replied with a smile.

“The only difference is that you thought he was in heaven and he thought you were an earthbound angel. Sounds like a couple of angels bound for glory on ‘Some Enchanted Evening,’ if you ask me,” Susan giggled, unable to resist teasing her friend.

Breezy laughed and shook her head. “You know, I’m kind of glad you heard that on the radio, even if it is embarrassing that I don’t know the man.”

“Why, what’s up?”

“Well, I wanted ask you for a favor,” Breezy said. Susan just looked at her quizzically, so Breezy continued. “Last night, when the DJ read that dedication from SD, I couldn’t believe he was actually thanking
me
for helping
him
. How I supposedly did that, I have no idea. I didn’t do anything but cause him grief while he saved my life. I felt bad because I hadn’t gotten a chance to thank him and because of saying what I did about him, so I listened to those songs last night and promised myself to do whatever it takes to find him.

“I was wondering, since Tom owns the radio station, if you would mind calling over there to see if he left his name with the DJ. I know Pearl would probably tell me if I asked, but I don’t want everyone knowing those songs went out to me.

“You know Pearl. She’ll ask me a hundred and one questions about why I’m calling and, by the end of the week, it’ll be all over town that I’m having a mad, passionate affair with a stranger and agreed to marry him without even knowing his name. You’re the only one with the ability to sidetrack her when she gets too nosey and just invents something to gossip about,” Breezy said. Pearl was a busybody in the worst way. Susan could handle people like Pearl a lot better than she could.

“Sure, I’ll call and ask, but I doubt he left his name. They seldom do.”

As Breezy cleaned the kitchen, Susan made the call. Several minutes later, she returned to the kitchen looking puzzled.

“That was odd. That was definitely odd,” Susan stated.

“Why? What did Pearl say?”

“Well, your Guardian Angel didn’t leave his name, just his initials, as always. However, it seems half the women in Indiana have called the station wanting to know who he is.”

“What on earth for?” Breezy asked.

“Pearl said they thought his dedications to you were the most romantic things they’d heard in a long time. The callers basically said that if his Earth Angel didn’t want him, they sure did. At least, that was the gist of most of the calls. They’re even asking to have his dedications replayed on tonight’s show.”

“Well, that’s it. That was my only hope of finding him. What am I supposed to do now?”

“I guess you’ll just have to let him find you.”

“Since I have nothing but a vague memory and his initials to go on, I guess I have no choice. That is, if he ever decides to come back here.” Breezy poured them each a fresh cup of coffee before they resumed their seats at the kitchen table. She stared at the crystal vase full of pink roses.

“What’s on your mind, Breezy?” Susan asked after her silence went on for too long.

“Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about how strange it is that a couple of songs and an unsettling dream could change a person’s mind in just a few short hours.”

“What do you mean?” Susan’s ears perked up attentively.

“Well, first of all, your speech yesterday, Mrs. Princeton’s visit last night, the dream I had, along with those songs, all made me stop and think. It finally hit me just how close I came to actually dying. It made me realize how ridiculous I’ve been acting about SD. Even if he wasn’t around to hear it, I know I was hateful.

“Plus, he was thanking me for helping him. I just can’t get over that. Now, I’ll probably never see or hear from him again. I’ll never get a chance to let him know just how much his being there meant to me.”

“I’m sure he knows, Breezy. You’ll see him again someday, I’m certain of it,” Susan added comfortingly. “Why don’t you tell me about your dream? It had to be pretty upsetting if it changed your mind from yesterday.”

Breezy explained the dream she’d had after Mrs. Princeton left the night before.

“…But, when I woke up, I was terrified. I ran around turning on all the lights and put on the heat so it wouldn’t be so dark and cold in here. I even looked in the mirror just to make sure it was only a dream.”

“Oh, Breezy, how awful! I didn’t mean to scare you to death. I just wanted to shake you up a little.”

“Believe me, Susan, if anything caused that dream, it was a combination of everything that’s happened, along with the pills the doctor gave me. It’s not your fault at all! Now, can we please change the subject?” Breezy asked hopefully.

“Sure, why don’t we get to work? I need start ordering a few Christmas items for the shop, anyway.” Susan agreed.

“Yeah, I still have some Halloween pins to finish and I should get started on the Christmas things, before it’s too late. You know how busy we were this time last year.” Breezy said, shuddering at the memory of last year’s holiday chaos.

“Yes, poor Pearl was swamped, even with the extra help we hired for her,” Susan laughed.

“That reminds me…Pearl called Monday and said she wouldn’t be able to run the shop on Friday. Could you drive me over there Friday morning and pick me up afterwards? I’d drive myself but I’m afraid if I have to take one of those pills, I’ll be too sleepy to drive,” Breezy said.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll just fill in for Pearl myself.”

“Are you sure? Tom just got back last night. That won’t give you much time with him until Monday.”

“I’m sure. Fridays at the shop are hectic and that’s the last thing you need right now. Besides, Tom wouldn’t want you driving or working while you are on those pills any more than I do. If you need anything, I’ll get it for you.”

Before Breezy could reply, the sound of someone knocking pulled her to the front door. Moments later, she returned carrying a small box.

“Who was it?” Susan asked.

“Another delivery man. SD strikes again, I guess.” Breezy put the box down on the table and began tearing at the tape.

“What? No fits of anger? No temper tantrums?” Susan teased.

“No, Susan. I told you, I realized he was just trying to be a friend. I don’t know why he keeps sending me things, though. He shouldn’t and, if I ever find him, I’m going to tell him so. Until then, all I can do is accept his gifts and appreciate the fact we both seem to have found a wonderful new friend.”

“Well, all right! It’s about time you let someone in!” Susan cheered, fist pumping the air. She just loved making Breezy squirm.

“Oh, Susan, stop it!” Breezy laughed. When she finally managed to get the box open, there was another Styrofoam box inside with a note taped to it.

Dear Brittany,

This reminded me so much of you, I just had to send it to you. I hope you like it. Take care.

Your friend,

Sean

“Sean! His first name is Sean! At last, I know his name!” Breezy exclaimed. She was so thrilled, she forgot about the gift. “Susan, his name is Sean! I wonder what the D stands for?”

“Breezy, hurry and open the box! You’re never going to guess his last name in a million years,” Susan laughed at her friend’s exuberance. For a moment, Breezy looked like a little girl again. She knew precisely how much it meant to Breezy to learn just his first name; however, it still wasn’t enough to help them find him. Despite all she’d told Breezy, a small part of Susan wondered if they ever would see Sean again but, as the contents of the box were revealed, that doubt completely vanished.

“Oh, right…the box,” Breezy laughed. She placed the note gently on the table and lifted the top half of the Styrofoam box.

“Susan, look!” she exclaimed as she lifted the water globe from the box. “It’s beautiful!”

The water globe sat atop a rich cherry wood base housing a music box. Inside was a beautiful porcelain angel, complete with wings and a golden halo. Her hair was waist length and dark auburn, just like Breezy’s. It was painted in amazing detail, right down to the tiny eyelashes. The angel’s robe was snowy white, trimmed with gold and tied at the waist by a teal colored sash.

The angel was holding a miniature replica of the Earth, looking down on it lovingly. It was almost the same look Breezy had on her face as she looked down on the water globe. Instead of snow, it held iridescent glitter cut into the shape of tiny stars. Breezy turned the globe upside down and noticed a switch on the bottom. She wound up the music box and flipped the switch to the ‘on’ position. A light shined upwards through the bottom of the globe, illuminating the angel with a halo effect that caused the stars to twinkle brightly as they drifted down. Breezy sat the globe on the table carefully. As it turned and the stars drifted gracefully about the angel, it played the melody, “Earth Angel.”

“Earth Angel. Hmm, it looks to me like ‘someone you’ve never met’ and ‘have only seen once’ knows you better than you think,” Susan said, reminding Breezy of her words.

“Oh, Susan; this is just pure coincidence.”

“Maybe so, but it fits in perfectly with the collection of angels and water globes you began a lifetime ago. It’s an awfully odd coincidence, if you ask me.”

“It does fit in perfectly, but there’s no way he could have known. It’s just one of those things.”

“One of those things called Fate, perhaps?”

Chapter 5 “Perfect Stranger”

Back in the cold reality of an overcast New York morning, Patrick Day paced the polished hardwood floor of his private office in fury. Oh, he was angry at himself and his volatile Irish/Italian temperament only intensified his steadily increasing rage. He didn’t regret saving Brittany’s life; of course not. God knows, there was wasn’t much in life he cared about, especially not women, but there was no way he could have left her to die in that furnace of a parking lot. No, he wasn’t mad at himself for that, but he was seriously pissed off at the strange reactions she had awakened in him and thoroughly confused by his uncharacteristic actions towards her ever since. The steel control he kept on his emotions had been compromised and he damn well didn’t like it!

Patrick cringed at the thought of the last gift he had sent to her…a musical water globe, its round glass enclosing a small porcelain angel that had reminded him of Brittany. Pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes, he remembered the water globe’s tinkling tune, “Earth Angel.” It was one of those embarrassingly romantic songs he had arranged to be dedicated to her on the radio last night.

“Of all the monumentally stupid things to do!” he groaned aloud. “Damn it! What on earth was I thinking? What, in God’s name, possessed me to go so completely overboard?” Patrick agonized, tugging roughly at his wild ebony locks with both hands.